Spurs dodge trouble as Duncan has no structural damage in knee

The San Antonio Spurs’ run of good fortune continued Sunday when star forward Tim Duncan underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage in his left knee.

The Spurs won their 10th straight game Saturday night – their 14th winning streak of at least 10 games under coach Gregg Popovich. But the 96-86 home win over Washington didn’t have a celebratory feel to it.

In the second quarter, Duncan was underneath his own basket when a battle for a rebound led to Wizards forward Martell Webster falling on Duncan, rolling on the big man’s right ankle and left knee. Duncan had to be helped off the court by teammates and did not return.

It was Duncan’s first game back after sitting out four contests with a sore left knee.

Popovich has been managing Duncan’s minutes all season, even famously sending him home prior to a nationally televised showdown with Miami, a move that earned the coach a $250,000 fine.

Despite playing less than 30 minutes per game, Duncan is averaging 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. He was named to the Western Conference All-Stars as a reserve and just recently dropped out of our MVP Rankings.

The Spurs also said Duncan suffered a mild right ankle sprain in Saturday’s game and is listed as day to day.

San Antonio has not lost since Jan. 11 at Memphis and is 38-11, the best record in the NBA. The Spurs do not play again until Wednesday at Minnesota, the opener of their nine-game “Rodeo Road Trip” that carries through the All-Star break.